Is it worth $1,995 to upgrade the ECU in my S to add 20hp and 19ftlbs? I've been considering my options for a while, including ordering a PTT, simply to get more power. Is an additional 20hp and 19ftlbs torque going to make a noticeable difference? And, is it worth $2k? Thanks.

 

Spend your money on a weekend driving school.

 

I did the GIAC upgrade for my Cayenne S, think the claimed numbers were around 30/30, i was skeptical at first but very happy with the upgrade in the end. The whole car feels more aggressive and responsive, it isnt just about power, but also the character of the engine.

 

Don't believe that GIAC has an upgrade available for the Panamera S yet but, I will contact them. What was the cost for the upgrade? Thanks.

 

I think it was 1700.

 

GIAC doesn't have Panamera S software yet (it is currently in development), but I can echo what jyupitt1 said.

Performance Software on a naturally aspirated engine will give you additional horsepower and torque, but some of the more notable improvements are in how the car feels. Throttle response is improved, giving it a livelier more aggressive feel around town.

If you're interested in GIAC software shoot me your name and contact info via PM. I'll contact you when it is available.

Have you done anything else to your car?

 

I chipped my GT3 for also 20 HP gain and could only felt the difference while auto crossing as the car while coming out of tight corners, but couldn't tell much difference on street driving. Also chipped my 997TT w/ a 60HP gain and an C63 AMG w/ another 60 HP gain and I definitely can feel the difference after adding 60 HP, but for only 20HP, you won't feel the difference enough and often enough to be worth the money IMO.

 

I can only speak for my 997.2S which I got the softtronic tune for, and if you look below at my sig with all the other mods I did to it....the tune was the one that had the LEAST impact on what I felt. All my mods were done separately with at least 3 months in between them so I could feel the change from each one.

The process is not as simple as they claim, and if you do the softtronic expect the car to go into limp mode for at least 12 hours. Even though we did the process exactly as described it went into limp mode which they said happens sometimes, me thinks it happens most of the time.

My car is extremely fast now especially after driving a few stock 997.2S's, so maybe if you took off the tune I would feel a difference so maybe it was worth it. But again its the only mod that I feel questionable about, if it was really worth it.

This probably makes you feel more unsure....Sorry!

 

yeah, i hve to agree with above....i have a 996TT x50 and did softronics tuning and i really can't tell any difference....still get 0.9bar...i thought i saw 1. on a cold day once... i have AP exhuast and someone else's intake plenum and AP intake/air box.... sounds louder and i can tell some differecne but it doesn't feel like 100hp +.... numb butt?
plus, now the car runs rich...can't pass calif smog...no CEL but still, have to return to orig. tune to pass the smog every 2yrs, then reflash....10 mins to do it but still...the car runs and smells rich....

jim
996 TT X50